How do you get 32 lessons in a week? (3/16/14)

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been busier than ever. We didn't have to do anything for transfers, so we were able to devote our whole week to just working! We got 30 lessons this week. The standard of excellence for the mission is 32, and Elder D and I are doing everything that we can to hit that standard. So in answer to my title, the way to get 32 is to plan for at least 40 lessons. We planned this week for 41. We still have lots of work to do to hit that goal, but we can do it. We are exercising our faith in every way that we can and striving to be exactly and strictly obedient. And we have seen the some fruit come from our efforts.

The one of the biggest results of our efforts is that we had 9 investigators at sacrament meeting this week. 7 of them are progressing towards baptism in the next 3 weeks and we are hoping to have a nice harvest in the coming weeks. Myra has her interview for baptism on Friday and then Ju, Mas, Ci, Cas, N and S are all moving towards baptism on April 5. They have all been coming to Church faithfully. N has had a hard time in the past overcoming her trials, but the Lord has shown her that he will provide miracles in exchange for her obedience and faith. She just had a dream that has really boosted her confidence and resolve to follow through on her commitment to follow Jesus Christ through baptism. I have seen all of their lives change as they understand and live true doctrine.

One of the not progressing ones, is El and he is the hardest investigator that I have ever taught because he believes everything that we teach,but he has one serious concern. He doesn't believe that Jesus Christ is the name of the Savior. We are doing all that we can to help him overcome it. When we taught him on Saturday, we invited him to ask Heavenly Father in the name of Christ if the Book of Mormon is true. He will not ask in the name of Christ, He contradicted himself in his explanation, but he refuses to try even once. He loves it when we teach him, but he is stuck on the name. He came to church, which we have been working for for a long time. Luckily, he doesn't try to debate us anymore.  

We also had great success in finding new investigators and working with referrals, We found 11 new investigators and contacted 5 referrals, some who will become new investigators this week. One of the new investigators that we found is Leo out in Villa Leonora. He is a barangay kagawad (like a city council member) and he knows our recent converts in Villa Leonora. We shared with him about the Book of Mormon, which was all new to him and he accepted the copy of the Book of Mormon. We also found a young man, K, who is very receptive and wants us to share with his family also. 

We got a really important referral on Saturday. One of President Barrientos' counselors was here in Buguey doing interviews and he gave us a referral. He had talked with the mayor of Buguey and the mayor agreed to have us over to share with him. Yeah! I know right! The mayor lives right next to the chapel and Elder D and I are going to try everyday to contact him. If nothing else, he will let us in just to be rid of us (Parable of the Importunate Widow), but we have faith that he will invite us in to hear what we have to share and that the Lord will soften his heart so that he will accept the restored Gospel. 

The work of the Lord is moving forward at an undeterred pace all around the world. I am just a piece of this massive rock that is filling the Earth. I know that the Lord is blessing all of his servants around the world and is preparing the hearts of his children to receive the restored gospel. We just had a new branch president called here and he is very energetic and has good plans to help the branch progress. I know that the Lord has his hand in his work. As we do as Abinadi and teach redemption, repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, the Spirit will touch the hearts of others and they will receive salvation through the Atonement of Christ, the Eternal Father, and Son of God. I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior and he has paid the price of our sins. If we will accept and live his Gospel, we will gain eternal life. I know that this Church is true and is lead by a living prophet. God bless you all! Mahal kita!

Love,

Elder R Wood

And then there was a flaming rat... (3/10/14)

Dear Family and Friends,

It has been a crazy busy week. We had ZTM then exchanges and then weekly planning then church and then... the week was over. Time just flies by so fast when you have so much to do. I am happy to say that Elder D and I accomplished our goal of having more lessons this week than the last week we had MLC. We had 15, as compared to the last time of 13. High scoring baseball game. And now it is transfer week and for the first time in a long time, it doesn't effect me personally! There are 5 transfers in our zone though, including one new Sister Training Leader and a new District Leader.

We have made some good progress with our investigators this week. Since our time was a bit limited we really focused on those with baptismal dates that are coming up. We re-extended a baptismal date to N, since she had missed church for the past few weeks. We applied the training from MLC and really focused on the doctrines of Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy and Repentance. It was a great lesson and she committed that she would keep the Sabbath day holy for the rest of her life. We also reset the baptism for Ju and Mas, since they are having a bit of trouble keeping the Sabbath day holy. When we talked to Ju about it, he said he didn't realize that that was part of his preparation of baptism. He said he is going to keep it holy from now on. He had a relapse and smoked 2 cigarettes Saturday, but he told us and then he gave us his remaining sticks to throw away. They are now going to be baptized on the same day as their nieces. 

We found a great new fellowshipper this week. Jo, our recent convert worked with us yesterday afternoon and he loved it. His testimony is very strong and he loves to share it. He told us that he is also excited to share the gospel with more of his friends. He just got the Aaronic Priesthood on Sunday and is excited to keep working with us. He is very converted to the Gospel and he really wants to help others have the same experience.

Just as a quick side story, I went on exchanges this week to the farthest area in the mission, Sta. Ana. At night when I was showering, I heard the 3 Elders running around and shouting. They then told me not to come out of the shower yet. So I waited a bit and then they said it was good to come out. They changed their minds as I opened the door and I saw why. On the floor out side the bathroom was a line of fire, leading to a flaming rat. Not my preferred method of extermination, but I guess it works for a rat that big (almost 6 inches long).  

I just wanted to share my testimony with everyone about how the Lord really knows each of us individually and knows how to help us. The help will most likely not come in the form that we expect, but it will come. He knows better than we do, for his thoughts and ways are higher than ours. We do not comprehend all that he does, but He loves us and will do what is best for us. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and had created a perfect plan of us to gain eternal life. If we will do what he asks of us, we will make it back to him. Mahal ko kayo lahat! 

love,

Elder Ryne Warren Wood

Citius, Altius, Fortius (3/4/14)

Dear Family and Friends,

Just finished with my 2nd MLC and it was so awesome. I think I have a little bit of heat exhaustion though from the sporting activity. Ayos lang, no pain no gain. The APs asked me and Elder D to  o the games for our FHE, so we played the animal game and Ninja Destruction. It was a blast and I was exhausted on the trip home. It is a bit late so this may be a bit short.

First and foremost is some great news on investigators. Ju and Mas are two of our next scheduled baptisms and they are making wonderful progress. The biggest thing is that Bro. Ju has now quit smoking. He has been struggling with it for a while and we have really been hitting on the principles of addiction recovery. He had gone from a pack to a few sticks to just one stick a day, but was really struggling to kick that one last stick. We talked about priesthood blessings and how they are a way to receive added strength from Heavenly Father. He said he would like one and we gave him one on Thursday. We weren't able to visit them the next day but on Saturday we found out that since the blessing he has not smoked! I know that Heavenly Father  gave him that extra boost that he needed to begin to be completely free of his addiction. We have also started teaching two of his nieces, who are interested and came to church this week!

I am very grateful for the power of the priesthood that was restored through Joseph Smith. I know that the keys and power of the priesthood are held today by the leaders of the Church, especially the prophet, Thomas S Monson, as they were held anciently by the prophets and apostles. We taught another of our investigators, El about the priesthood and how it has been and always will be a central part of Christ's Church. He kept trying to argue with us, but we just bore testimony of how we knew that the priesthood had been restored through Joseph Smith through Peter James and John who received it from Jesus Christ. He stopped trying to argue and just fell back to his usual default question, which had nothing to do with the lesson at all. I know that the Spirit testified to him that what we had taught him was true even if he tried to ignore it. The time will come when he will yield to the Spirit though and then his eyes will be opened and he will recognize the truth.

So the title of our email was a part of MLC this past Monday. For those who don't know the three words, they are a part of the Olympics. They are engraved on every gold medal and they are Greek for Swifter, Higher, Stronger. MLC was focused on how we as missionaries can be come move swifter, reach higher, and become stronger on our eternal quest for perfection, for others and ourselves. At the heart of it is the doctrine. As we learn, understand and apply true doctrine ourselves and then help others to learn, understand and apply true doctrine, we will see great changes take place in our work. We will be able to help more and more people to come unto Christ and through his Gospel prepare to return to live with God and become like Him. I learned a lot form MLC, which I will not be able to share here. I know understand though what doctrine is, why it is important and how I need to use it to help others prepare to live with God again.

I know that this is the work of the Lord and that He is opening the hearts of others to receive his Gospel. There is no greater work on the Earth. It is the work of salvation. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it testifies of Jesus Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true Church of Christ, restored through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Keep doing all you can to strengthen your won testimonies and help others to find theirs! 

Love,

Elder R Wood

(2/23/14)

Dear Family and Friends,

I always get thrown off when we have P day on a different day and then have it on a normal day. "I will try my best to not quote myself from last week. (Close quote)." Just kidding!!

The big thing this week was the baptism! Right after I send  my last email Elder D and I witnessed the marriage of our investigators J and F. It was just a small ceremony in the Mayors office, with just Jo (J's brother and our BML) and us to be witnesses. Sweet and simple. Then on Saturday we had the baptism. There were three baptisms, J and F and then one investigator from Buguey B. We were supposed to start at 5, but the clerks office was locked and guess where all the baptismal clothes are kept? Luckily our clerk was able to rescue us, even though he lives very far away. It all went well and then the confirmations were yesterday. J and F are so happy and converted. J now really wants to work with the missionaries and we are happy to have him as a fellowshipper. We have several couples that need to be married before they are baptized, so he will be a great testimony to them of how the Lord will open the doors they need opened to prepare for baptism.

I had the privilege this week of going on exchanges with the district leaders companions. The district leaders were with Elder D in Buguey, so I got to go to their areas. I enjoyed it very much and I learned much from the other missionaries and I hope they were able to learn a few things from our work together. It is great to get to see their testimonies and meet with the people that they teach. I felt as if I had been teaching them the entire time. Like one family in Sta, Teresita. I was working with Elder V there, (he is Filipino, but is basically an American) and we taught Plan of Salvation to this family. Apparently the mom had been asking lots of questions about the plan of Salvation while the Elders were teaching restoration. We asked her if her questions were answered and she said they all were. Then she started asking questions relating to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the next lesson they will teach. They are so prepared! 

Mean while back in Buguey, our investigators our moving swiftly towards baptism. M is set on her new baptismal date of March 29 and has stopped drinking coffee. Her cousin just came back from Manila and he fellowships with us. We also gave a new baptismal date to Er and El. They really wanted to come to church this week, but their baby has been sick and then Er got sick, so they weren't able to come. They have been prepared by the Lord and are now set on their new goal of April 5. We had been trying to get to Ju and Mas all week, but hadn't had success until Sunday. We found out that Bro. Ju has had a few relapses in Word of Wisdom, and Mas is feeling a little helpless. We helped them set some plans to help Bro. avoid temptation and stay strong. Sister N has been having some trials of her faith also, but when we taught her on Tuesday, we could tell that the Spirit touched her heart and strengthened her. Please include them all in your prayers.

 I really love teaching families and helping them prepare for baptism. I love to see as families come closer together and closer to our Father in Heaven. I know that His perfect Plan of Redemption is centered on Jesus Christ and is the way for families to be together forever. Through the ordinances of the Gospel all people may be cleansed from sin and return to live with God again. I am grateful for the blessings of temples and the great power that is manifest in the ordinances performed there. I know that it is the house of God and that only within the walls of a temple and through the priesthood authority of God can families become eternal. As missionaries, we want to see those that we teach in white three times. First at baptism, second in the temple and finally in the celestial kingdom, Great joy awaits all of us as we help "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). I have been studying this week about the importance of the baptismal covenant and how much we need to prepare for it. We are all so blessed to have the chance each week to partake of the sacrament and renew our covenant with God. As we receive of the Spirit again each week, we are cleansed and become a little more perfect each day until the day when we will stand pure and spotless before the throne of God. 

That is all for today! Next week is MLC, so I get to go back to Laoag City again. I am sure that there will be much to tell you next week. Keep on doing your part in the Lords vineyard. Remember that "The harvest is great and the laborers are few, but if we are united we all things can do". Mahal kita!

Love,

Elder R Wood

Welcome to the club. The Club of Many Responsibilities. (2/17/14)

Dear Family and Friends,

The title is how President Barrientos welcomed all of the new Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders to their first MLC. HE welcomed them all one by one and then got to me and said, "Welcome to Elder Wood, but hindi naman siya bago. Luma na (he isn't new though. He is old now). He has been in the office for almost a year, but now he is out." My first MLC was amazing and I enjoyed it. It was different from the usual MLC. Usually after the Council we have a sports activity and then a FHE, but ths time it was just a straight 6 hour meeting. I loved it!

The focus for the mission for this month is chapter one of Preach My Gospel. It is all about fulfilling our purpose and helping others progress towards baptism, which is central to our purpose as missionaries. We had ZTM on Thursday, so we only had one afternoon to prepare. It went great. The APs came for it. (That was a surprise for a brand new zone leader). The Sister Training Leaders for our zone gave the best part of the entire meeting. Sister Training Leaders are the best! They give life to the zone! Everything went great and we are excited to shoot for our new baptism goal for the month of March.

Today is marriage day! J and F are going to get married today at the town hall of Buguey. They had their baptismal interview on Sunday and all that they need now it the official document from the Mayor saying they are married. Yeah!!! We are going to the city hall at 2. The baptism is this weekend. Elder D and I will both be performing one of the ordinances. We have many other investigators getting closer to baptism and are looking at a big month for baptisms in March. 5 is our goal for our area.

This has been a busy week with MLC, ZTM, Baptismal interviews, exchanges, and almost anything else you could think of. Through out it all, I have been blessed to receive a greater eternal perspective on this work. Everything that we do as missionaries and members of the Church is of eternal importance. As S. Cagahastian (STL) said during ZTM, we are here to celestialize families. Celestialization! It is through the work of proclaiming the gospel that we help others to reach exaltation and eternal life. That takes great effort on our part, including repentance and obedience. One thing that President taught us in interviews yesterday is that there is a step above exact obedience, Strict Obedience. This obedience brings exaltation. This is the goal and always has been. As followers of Christ, it is our desire, not only for ourselves, but for all people. I know that the Savior has shown us the way to return to our Heavenly Father. It is his Gospel-the one and only Way. I know that there is nothing more important than this work. I know Christ is our Savior and he loves us. Thank you all for your help in this work. Keep the faith!

Love,

Elder Ryne Warren Wood

Zions Camp-From Buguey Centro to Pattao Junction (2/10/14)

Dear Family and Friends,

I am back in Laoag writing this email. MLC is tomorrow and President allowed those attending from Gonzaga Zone to travel down this morning. Hence the title of the email. We decided with the STLs to take the early morning bus, which starts at midnight. No worries right. WE talked to a tricy driver who agreed to take us to the junction to wait for the bus at midnight, but we couldn't get a hold of him or wake him up. So we walked for about an to get to the junction and then waited for a while for the bus. We made it safely to Laoag. Personally, I slept most of the way. The bus got packed!

This last week was a great week. Every week is great as a missionary, but each week just seems to stand out more and more. This week, Elder Dizon and I taught 26 lessons and surpassed most of our goals. I know that the Lord has greatly poured out his blessings upon us. Exact Obedience Brings Miracles! We found a new family this week, the Mamaspas family. They are a young couple and they accepted a baptismal date after the first lesson. We found them just walking around and they are super excited for us top come back again.

This coming week, we had two baptisms planned, but it looks like there is going to be a slight snag. J and F are supposed to get married and baptized on Friday, but the Mayor of Buguey is not available to perform the wedding. Ouch. We will most likely have to schedule it for the next week instead. This is the couple that lives a good 30 minute walk out of town, but they are super prepared and got all of the paperwork for their wedding ready on their own.

We have also made some really good progress with our other investigators. N is close to resolving her concern about coming to Church and M now loves Sunday School and Young Women's classes. For N, she had an epiphany this week that one of the reasons her life is hard is becuase she is missing the blessings of attending Church. She read the story of the people of Alma in Mosiah and that really boosted her faith. She and her kids came to all 3 hours of church on Sunday.

It is ironic that we had so many of our investigators attend all 3 hours of Church when we had to leave after two. On of the district leaders in our zone has some baptisms coming up and we went to Sta. Ana Sunday afternoon. FOr those of you who don't know, Sta. Ana is the very tip of the island of Luzon. We got there around 230 after a couple detours and set backs, and then found out that the last transportation leaving Sta. Ana leave at 3. Luckily the branch president has a car and helped us get home.

So much has happened this week and I can't tell it all, though I wish I could. One day. I know that this is the work of the Lord and that he is our Captain and King. He has redeemed us from the Fall and through our repentance we can be cleansed from our personal sins. I know he lives and he loves us. Remember that always! Keep up the faith and works!

Love,

Elder Wood

From the new Uncle in Buguey (2/2/14)

Dear Family and Friends,

Congratulations to A. Bice on the new Baby!!! I am an uncle! Hopefully I will get some pictures soon of [my niece] (hint hint). Man. I feel old. Kind of ironic since I was talking with the missionaries in our zone and realized that Elder D and I have been out the longest in our whole zone. Sixteen months this month. So crazy!

Well I arrived in Buguey after a long adventure coming from Laoag. I wish I could tell you all everything that happened in the trip, but there just isn't the time! All I will say is that the bus was full, so some missionaries who were supposed to get on along the highway couldn't and we had a missionary miss his stop. Oh the things that happen on the first day as Zone leader. I ended up riding on top of the multicab from Magapit to Gonzaga. A few days later Elder D rode on top of the tricy from Sta. Teresita to Gonzaga and back in the rain. Cagayan is like nothing i have every experienced before.

We have already had more lessons this week than I almost had in a transfer in the office. The last two Elders here set us up with a lot of great investigators who are working towards baptism. They are all so awesome and I love them all already. WE have two couples who are progressing towards baptism. One has all of the paper work done now and is just waiting to solemnize the wedding. The other couple just learned law of chastity and is deciding on a date for marriage. Luckily, Brother has friends that work in the city government so they will have an easy time with the paperwork. The members here are great and we have fellowshippers almost everyday. Big change from Laoag, 

I am the only foreigner in the apartment in Buguey, which is awesome! MY Tagalog is getting better already. I kind of went stagnant in the office, but I am on the climb again. I am also helping Elder D with his English. The most difficult thing for both of us is pronunciation, since there are sounds that neither of us is used to making. For me it is the ng and for him is is th. Our apartment is not far from the ocean, so we are going to do exercise on the beach. It is so beautiful and peaceful here compared to Laoag. Country versus city.

Well that is about all that I have time for. I will tell you more about Buguey in the coming weeks. I just want to close this with my testimony of how important this work is. No matter where we are in the world, we all have a role in the work of salvation. It takes everyone to do the work of the Lord and when we all work together, the Lord will quicken us by his Spirit and give us success. I know that Christ lives and that he loves us. Keep up all the work that you are doing. Pray, feast upon the words of Christ, and endure to the end! Hurrah for Israel!

love,

Elder Ryne Wood